Monday 31 December - Universal Studios

Philip stayed at home today to rest up a little after feeling a bit run-down and allowed Jessica and Alison to go off to Universal Studios without him. The girls organised themselves the previous night and made an early start to beat the traffic and outdid themselves by arriving at the parking lot within 15 minutes! By paying a little extra they managed to get "preferred parking" which allows the vehicle to be parked much closer to the venue than general parking. Way to go!! However, you MUST remember the name and number of your park. The Ford happened to be in Spiderman and with a quick phone photo it was recorded for later in the day.

After quite bit of a walk and travelling on travelators the front gate appeared before them and THERE WAS NO QUEUE which was a miracle of Christmas. The operator gave a tip about the queues lately in the park and so Fast Passes were purchased for the day. This allowed a shorter lineup time and early entry to rides. The park map had planning marks on it as the day unfolded.

First stop was the Shrek theatre and this was fun with shaking seats, squirting water and some fans blowing until the part in the story that used spiders, LOTS OF SPIDERS, and suddenly there were things touching legs and clothing and the whole theatre erupted in screaming and shrieking! Hearts and pulses were pounding and soon after the ride finished with both girls thankful to make their way into the sunshine. Yesterday was an icy day with a really chill wind blowing at Epcot and today there was little breeze at all and the sun was shining beautifully. Both the girls discussed the possibility of wearing shorts or light clothing tomorrow. Let's hope it works out with excellent weather. Philip could do with a nice day out.

OK back on track for the fun stuff...next on the list to do was the E.T. ride which was just lovely. Of course the public rode bikes, just four in a row and four rows! But out the front was the basket and when the ride began up popped ET to guide the way. No really scary bits just laughter and fun. This is where the day nearly came unstuck. Jessica took her mother to the Simpson's ride. Sideshow Bob was the mean dude trying to disrupt everything and hurt Marge, Homer and their family. The ride consisted of a drive-in style double row of cars that all violently jiggled, swerved, jolted, tipped and banked their occupants as the ride unfolded on the screen before them. Alison needed a break after that ride concluded and she threatened to quit. Jessica then went on the MIB ( Men In Black)  ride alone!

The Animal Actors show was a wonderful break and the wide range of animals that did their tricks for treats was great to watch. One golden retriever had seen a squirrel and was not paying attention to the trainer and had to be continually refocussed. Happens to everyone who works with animals and children. The otter made an appearance and a pleasant surprise was a grey persian cat. It was required to do a lengthy run and complete a number of tasks before reaching its reward dish of treats. The pig " hogged the stage" and the pug from MIB was very cute in his little costume. Marley, from Marley and Me, was there as were a number of other dogs that Jessica could rattle off from their respective claims to fame.

The day wouldn't be complete without a trip to the candy store, in the New York section of the park, where Jessica reacquainted herself with her old faithful buddies the gummy bear family. She loves them and has been without any for quite a while. Back on the ride trail it was straight out the candy door and into the Disaster ride. Much like the movie world ride where the audience participates in the making of a short clip that is added to a storyline and then played during the final stage of the ride. While scary it was screaming fun with flames on one side and floods of water on the other plus a semitrailer hurtling towards the carriage before erupting into flames, it all ended well and plenty of chatting and laughing on the way out.

Despicable Me was a happy ride for kids and adults alike. Again the simulation theatre with the jiggling and jolting but not as violent as the Simpsons. From here it was up the road to the Twister ride. The movie intro told of the difficulties of making the movie and then after watching some clips from the movie the audience got the experience the full effect of a Twister. Rain and wind and sparking electrical cords all helped to make the scene very realistic. SO good the girls went straight out and got back in the line to do it all again! The rides ended with another ET trip and then it was outside to find a spot to watch the parade.

The parade was made all the better by the nice young couple who, together with their two year old son, all decked out in his best clothes, sat with Alison and Jessica. Watching this little boy stare at the characters and high five the ones who came up to him made the whole event delightful. A park bench to sit on and the fact that for about five minutes the whole parade stopped in front of our spot while the drummers and dancers and acrobats did their thing was the icing on the cake for the day!

On arrival "home" the Hotel provides a hot meal for in-house guests Monday to Thursday, so Alison and Jessica were able to participate in dinner. Philip had a restful day and all are ready to hit the Universal Islands of Adventure tomorrow.

Sunday 30 December - Epcot at Disney World

Today the three adventurers left their comfy lodgings earlier than usual in an attempt to beat the crowds, firstly to the carpark, and secondly to the entrance gate of EPCOT. With Philip at the wheel again and Jessica acting as navigator, since Alison stepped down to allow Jess to get her NavCert III, the mission was accomplished. The morning temperature was low and the wind was brisk. The girls had themselves sensibly attired but poor Philip left his cap in the car and his big jacket back at the hotel, after a warm day yesterday. So Alison gave over her pink scarf and Jess gave over her spray jacket and the intrepid trio went forth to find warmth.

After choosing the wrong line at the admission gate and finally line hopping entry was theirs. This line dilemma is a bit of a family joke! Jessica had a fine tuned list to help the day "flow"! At a fast walk all headed towards a ride known as Test Track to try to obtain a fast pass which allows fast access to the ride rather than joining the general queue. From here they headed back to look into the huge dome at the front of EPCOT to take in Spaceship Earth. Here they listened to the lovely voice of Judy Dench take them on a journey through time and important developments in our world. Philip and Jessica were a little concerned about some important omissions stemming from the Asian side of the world. During this ride the little cars carrying the journeyers made full use of the inside of the globe, passing by important times in history, through American eyes, with wonderful animatronics and props and lighting.

The crowd was still building and Jessica was working her way through THE LIST with a determination that is well known in this family! The Land centre, which was designed to allow folk to understand better the benefits of greenhouses and aquaculture, was a real eye opener. The inevitable snaking of people through twists and turns in subdued lighting until eventually being directed into a vehicle generally takes about 30 minutes. If a person is VERY lucky the vehicle has no small children in it. This allows the riders in the vehicle to take in all the information clearly and to enjoy the journey. To be able to see the ingenious methods trialled for growing veggies up strings using hydroponic methods and even suspended over fishtanks to allow the plants to absorb nutrients directly from the tank water was truly amazing. White eggplants, huge pumpkins of all kinds, capsicums (known as peppers in the US), lots of different herbs and finally pots of flowers. Philip could be going home to install a greenhouse or plant a tomato tree.

Watching the clock carefully it was noted that the "fast track" time had come and so the three buzzed back over to the Test Track ride. There is a distinct look of annoyance on the faces of the general crowd all waiting politely, or not so politely, as the fast track folk briskly walk past and disappear up the line pathway. Into a test room where plastic cards were then used by each rider to select an attribute that was most important to the test, for them. Philip and Jessica chose "responsiveness" and Alison chose "efficiency". This attribute was then matched to a prototype and at the conclusion the results would be revealed. The ride began tamely enough and Alison was heard to make a comparison to the Lightning McQueen ride at Disney that she and Philip had taken with Jenny. That ride was fast, furious and in a racetrack racing another car and was screaming good fun!! Alison was a bit quick to judge because no sooner had she finished telling Jessica when the whole mood of the ride changed into a speed swerve hook affair! What a blast it was listening to all the girls scream their lungs out while the men in the vehicle remained calm, cool and under control! Well that is what they want the girls to believe anyway! With heart racing and pulse up something calmer was needed in a warm environment.

The park is set out with the globe at the front and the selection of participating countries spread around a large body of water in a semicircular format. So heading off they wandered along in the sunshine, as the temperature inched its way up slightly from very very cold to very cold!! Mexico was first followed by Norway, which had a ride on the list. Vikings are a favourite in this family so the Viking ride was a must. Maelstrom is a journey around Norway in a viking long boat and showed off the history and culture of the country. Philip felt a powerful urge to have some family photos here and Jessica was able to snap him trying to chat up a huge viking and also a troll with a very big nose. It was here in the Kringle Bakeri Og Kafe that one of those quirky things happened and they met a familiar face from home! How improbable is it to be at the centre, in the Kafe, at the same time as another Aussie that you happen to know from where you live and work?? Yep it happened. Sue, from Jessica's school was there with her daughter and the daughter's friend, who then gave tips on what NOT to miss.

While meandering along through China and then Germany a stop was made into a special shop selling caramel popcorn, Werthers Popcorn to be specific! It is very special and the family are hoping that it is sold other places as well with hands dipping into the bag for the rest of the day. On past Italy, Japan and into Morrocco for a bit of lunch. Good decision because all enjoyed the mixed plate of food selected. France was an eye catcher with the line at the pastry shop so long it was hard to believe that people would queue for that long to get a vanilla slice and a drink. Up to 30 minutes or longer. The next country was the United Kingdom and after a brief visit to the Twinings Tea shop the gang headed for Canada, the last country on the route. Now things began to hot up a bit both with sunshine, dropped breeze and a fantastic band playing called Off Kilter. They were a celtic rock group with the lead singer playing bag pipes as well. Poor Jessica had to wait for some time while the oldies got their fill of uptempo music and toe tapping. Boy it was good! Loch Lomond never sounded so good and the audience were encouraged to join in.

Philip soldiered on throughout the day joining in with activities when he felt up to it and holding the bags when he needed a rest. Jessica and Alison survived a journey to Mars in a simulation ride and that concluded an eventful day.

Saturday 29 December - Kennedy Space Center

Breakfast eaten and off to the Kennedy Space Center. Some problems with our navigation resulted in the need to pay some coin only tolls as we left and returned on intermediate ramps - Philip learned that not only are cars left hand drive but that the driver should be left handed to drive as he missed the coin bin with at least one of the coins on each occasion!

Finally reached the visitor centre and paid for parking (we're now used to this) and lined up for our entry tickets.

Alison and Jessica at KSC entry fountain

Alison and Jessica in front of the "Rocket Garden"

All the special encounters were listed as sold out on the ticket booth monitors but Philip asked anyhow and we scored a 3.40pm guided bus tour which would take us to the actual launch pad for the manned lunar launches and the space shuttle launches.

Alison with Jessica's travelling bears - Chris and Noel

Launch Pad 39A and ramp for rocket/shuttle mover

The tour also included a stop in the blast pit where the gas, heat and flames at lift off are directed.

Looking into the blast pit

Eventually made it back to the visor centre after a stop at the Apollo Mission display which includes a Saturn V rocket suspended in the building.

Lunar landing module

Moon rock

Thank heavens for this stop as Philip's stomach and other parts were "revolting" and he desperately needed a rest room. The main visitor centre was still 15 minutes away by bus!

Darkness had set in but there was one last ride that needed to be enjoyed. Alison and Jessica lined up for the Shuttle Launch Experience while Philip sat in a room watching the action and their reactions on a closed circuit monitor.

Other highlights of our day at Kennedy had been a very entertaining talk from a shuttle astronaut, seeing American Bald Eagles and their huge nest on the way to the launch pad,

Bald eagle on power pole and nest the size of a Queen Bed in tree to the right

seeing alligators in the wild right near the launch pad,

visiting the astronaut memorial and an iMax film about the Hubble Space telescope which inspired Philip to purchase three beautiful cosmic prints.

Back on the road and some mis-navigation by Jessica (can't blame Chuck the GPS this time) had us make a detour towards Miami which added 20km extra to our journey back to Orlando. Finally got "home" - now that we have mastered the 90B exit from the I-4 East! Alison and Jessica got takeaway from Applebee's again and the sick driver went straight to bed. Hence the one day delay in the posting of this blog entry.

Friday 28 December - Orlando

Up early (7am) to get out and about in theme park heaven! This inspire of Philip having developed a new head cold. Jessica wants to know how he knows that it is a new one and not just the original. Philip's response - "It's different that's why!" Sunny sky and temperature of about 7 degrees when we set out but a balmy 21 forecast.. You have to pay for parking at SewWorld so we paid $20 and got preferred parking right near the entry gate so that was worth the money. The temperature did reach the forecast and resulted in the removal of coats while we wandered around a busy SeaWorld. Mind you we weren't like others from cold climates who were getting around in short shorts and t-shirts. Really enjoyed all the shows that we watched. The dolphin show was more about the human artists than the dolphins but was enjoyable just the same.

We loved the Caribbean flamingoes which are just near the entry and after marvelling at the Killer Whales and their size we were finally really blown away when a walrus came on stage in another show. He was truly a huge amount of blubber!

Jessica was the only one brave enough to tackle an actual ride - Lost City of Atlantis - which involves a flume ride towards the end. Fortunately, she had her spray jacket on.

Did some additional driving on our return to find a Best Buys outlet for another go at getting the filter removed from Philip's camera. While Jessica and Philip were enquiring about it, a customer overheard them and told them of just the photographic store that was needed and so after dropping Alison at the Homewood Suites, the two intrepid explorers headed off to "downtown Orlando". Suffice to say that once again Chuck, the GPS, failed his job and with Jessica's attempts to orienteer, the driver and passenger ended up in the dark in a very African American neighbourhood with a narrow street to drive down, chairs and bbqs being set up on the footpaths and loud music. Jessica preserved with Chuck and finally they arrived at the photographic store and even though the service section had closed some 30 minutes before one of the workers was able to locate the required tool and remove the cracked filter. Cost - a new filter which Philip insisted that the salesperson should not fit to his camera!

Dinner for all from Applebee's and planning for the next stage of theme park visits under way.

Thursday 27 December - Monticello to Orlando

Our B & B was unexpectedly full last night and so we waited for the others to be fed at breakfast time before enjoying our breakfast of fruit soup, blueberry pancakes, fresh scrambled eggs and fired ham and a hot cup of tea! Then on the road to Orlando was supposed to take about 3 hours 40 minutes but took longer. Philip was driving and he was lucky to hit bumper to bumper traffic as we got closer to Orlando - result of a bingle. With some cross words between us and the GPS we managed to find our accommodation - Homewood Suites by Hilton and moved all our luggage in before heading back on to the roads - now busy with late afternoon traffic to visit the Titanic Exhibition. This was an enjoyable glimpse into the ship's voyage and also the chance to see actual relics that have been brought up from her final resting place. 

Then it was to the Premium Outlets for some serious shopping - only problem was that every other tourist and most locals must have decided to do the same. The traffic was horrendous on the roads but in the car parks was even worse. Jessica insisted that God always looked after her when she needed a park and that we should preserver. Philip who was driving and also not feeling well did not think that this was a reasonable expectation of our heavenly father!!! But Jessica was proved right a spot appeared directly in front of the entrance. Jessica and Alison quickly planned their attack, circling the outlets which needed to be visited, on the centre map. Philip was more interested in the strategic location of rest rooms for quick visits! Shopping and rest room visits completed including a visit to the Disney Outlet shop to purchase sour DisneyWorld passes and it was pack into the traffic mayhem and a return to the Homewood Suites.

Alison and Jessica then dropped into the adjoining Appleby's Fast Food restaurant to purchase some dinner to go while Philip headed back to the room to eat crackers, vegemite, banana and tea. 

After some quick planning whilst dinner was eaten Alison and Jessica have just returned from the hotel's business centre where they were able to download and print discounted on-line entry tickets for us for SeaWorld tomorrow.

Wednesday 26 December - Thomasville GA and Macon FL

Slow B & B start again today with home cooked breakfast including grilled local sausages. Then on the road to Thomasville back in Georgia  (and spotted a large vulture on the road feasting on some road kill) to visit the Pebble Hill Plantation. Thomasville was a popular holiday spot for northerners who would spend the winter months from November to April in the area. Many bought or built large homes. Apparently Jackie Kennedy escaped to Thomasville to avoid the press and people after her husband's assassination.

Pebble Hill was bought by a wealthy Cleveland family and expanded and then totally redesigned and rebuilt after a fire destroyed the majority of the original house in the early 1930s. There was even a log cabin school built so that the children of the family and visiting children could continue their education whilst the family took the long winter vacation. The photo below shows the main entrance of the home which strangely does not have a drive or major pathways leading to it. The carriage entrance is at the rear and the main vehicular entrance is at the left hand side.

After our tour of the house - no photos allowed inside and no touching of anything  (Alison was almost smacked by the guide for touching the marble bench top in the pastry kitchen), we walked around the grounds to look at the gardens, family cemetery and various buildings.

Then into Thomasville proper to enjoy lunch at Jonah's Fish and Grits Restaurant which had been recommended by our B & B host. Unfortunately, lunch was only served until 2pm and we arrived at 2.15pm. We have got into the habit of eating one main meal in the day which depending on where it falls with regards to the clock is called "linner" or "dunch". Disappointed we headed back to Monticello and instead opted for traditional comfort food of buffalo wings and pizza from the local Pizza Hut. We had very friendly staff and the restaurant to ourselves. Large pizza, 15 boneless chicken wings with dipping sauce and bottomless sodas for just over $20!

To work off the lunch we dropped our valuables back at at our abode and then set off on a walking tour of the local Monticello historic area. The first public building of note was the Jefferson County High School which was built in 1859 - quite an impressive building and it is no longer the school but is being renovated.

Monticello Court House which sits in a round-a-bout in the middle of the town

We were lucky to score a look at the Monticello Opera House which opened in 1890, seats 600 and is located on the second floor of the building in which it is housed. (The brick building on the right of the photo above.) Ended our walk with a visit to the old cemetery with a section for Confederate soldiers killed in the Civil War.

The Confederate Soldier section is under the tree in the centre draped in Spanish Moss

All rooms at John Denham House are to be occupied tonight so we will pray that none of the other guests feels disposed to turn on the central heating for the second floor. Las night, after our first night of extreme hot flushes, we had the heating off and slept with one of our windows open and still felt the need at times for only a sheet as cover. Clouds have cleared today and the breeze has come up so the air may be a little cooler and less humid.

Christmas Day - Monticello and Tallahassee Florida

After a very warm night as we did not know how to control the central heating on the top floor, we had a leisurely start to the day with home cooked breakfast in the dining room at 9am. Fresh Florida pink grapefruit, followed by a very tasty omelette stuffed with cheese, ham and portobello mushrooms and croissant with fresh strawberry conserve. Then some time to send Christmas greetings to family and friends

and a check on the location and service time for the Christmas Eucharist - oops Philip had not been careful with Google Search and the service he had found at 11.00am was actually at the Episcopal Church in Monticello, New York!!! The local church only had services on Christmas Eve. Change of plans and some accurate research by Jessica had the family heading into Tallahassee to the 11.30am screening of the new Les Miserables movie which opened here on Christmas Day. We all thoroughly enjoyed the movie and Philip and Alison were pleased to see Eddie Redmayne (they had enjoyed acting in Pillars of the Earth) and Samantha Barks who had missed out on one of the roles that were cast from a competitive show with Andrew Lloyd Weber.

After the movie to a popular Tallahasse restaurant (Sculas) for our Christmas lunch. No Christmas fare on the menu but we enjoyed our meal none the less. Philip and Alison ordered crab cakes and Jessica pecan crusted salmon. We certainly believe that we can no longer eat large meals. All three of us balked at the idea of some dessert afar our entrees (main courses for you Aussies).

We are now back at John Denham House and all settling down for a traditional Christmas arvo nap. Pat, our host, has returned from family lunch and she too is following the nap tradition.